Avatar universe

Deep in the Temple of Fire, the head priestess, and five other priest stood around the mystical flame. They sought guidance from the spirit world of how they could bring peace to the world. Although they were Fire Nation, they did not agree with the Fire Lord's war regime. As they stood around the flame, they all felt a presence fill the room. The mystical flame grew in size, and its flame turned blue. The priestess began to see visions of the war. The Fire Nation troops attacking innocent, soldiers fighting great wars in fields, and cities, then a blinding light filled her mind. When the glare faded, she could see clearly the image of four young children, each surrounded by a swirl of the four elements. The most shocking part of the whole vision was that she recognizes one of the four standing before her.

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Kazu lay in his bed sleeping, his body making the occasional jerking movement in his sleep, and he occasionally mumbled something inaudible. He began having dreams, these people, all from different tribes began flashing past his vision, each one glowing white. As the line came to the end, it began to slow down, until it finally came to rest on a small group at the end, unlike all the others that stood alone, these four figures were grouped together.

Kazu awoke, a cold sweat covering his body, and a sense of unease filled him. What was that dream? Rising from his bed, Kazu pulled a shirt on over his nude torso, and clasped the buttons. He made his way to the balcony, needing to get some fresh air. He stood in silence when a knock came to his door. He opened the door carefully, and in his hall stood his mother. She came into his room urgently, yet silently. "Mother, what's wrong?"

Kazu's mother placed a finger over his lips to silence him. "Listen, I don't have much time to explain, but I need you to pack some stuff and get out of the palace."

"Wait! What? What are you saying" Kazu was confused, and couldn't understand why his mother wanted him to leave.

"Son you have to leave. This is the only way I can protect you." She began to grab a few articles of clothing from the wardrobe, and threw them in a bag, along with a small bag of gold. Then turning to her son solemnly, she said all she could to explain, "Kazu, I'm sorry, but you can't live here anymore. You are the Avatar."

The entire room fell silent, Kazu's face went emotionless, and he couldn't believe his ears. He then began to move, as if he was possessed by something, no control or thought, just action. He grabbed his sword, and made his way out of the palace, not sure where he was actually headed. He need to find a ride.

Anita watched the passing soldiers from her hiding place within the shadows, her face impassive. She knew the military was still looking for her. After all, she had done much damage to their recent work. She had destroyed more than half of the scrolls they had scribed in preparation for future attacks and invasions. They had all went up in flames, along with some high quality weapons... And now nothing but charred remains were left of the military's hard work in the last six months.

In the shadows, Anita's fiery crimson eyes gleamed with satisfaction at the thought.

She knew they would be hunting her relentlessly. After all, she had also killed many of the soldiers she had worked with during her "leave". It was betrayal of the worst kind.

Images of her old friends' faces haunted her now. Kai, always teasing her about her exploding temper; Logan, who had taught her some unique lightning techniques; Rosalie, who never hesitated to help her... Frederic, Abel, Nohan, Azrai... the list went on...

And they were all dead.

Anita shut her eyes briefly, trying to remove the guilt from her mind.

"They deserved it," she thought viciously, "They deserved all of it... They killed all of those innocent people..."

A small part in her mind reminded that she too had done such a thing... Enjoyed it even. But she hastily brushed the thought aside, instead focusing all her thoughts on the passing soldiers once more.

They were handing out scrolls to the villagers, and Anita was sure they were the"wanted" posters. There probably was a large bounty on her head now. A traitor to the fire nation.

Anita knew she had to be careful. If she was going to bring the Fire Lord's regime down, she couldn't be caught so soon. No, it was going to take some planning... Some time... She needed help...

But from where? From what? From who? Who would dare to go against the fire nation?

Anita felt desperation fill her, but she gritted her teeth, refusing to let it smother her. She was gonna find a way, dammit!
Whatever it took... Whoever it took... She knew she would do anything to reach her goal. After all, she had nothing to lose.

Not anymore. Not since....

Realising that her thoughts were once again drifting to a dangerous territory, she quickly brought herself to the present once again. The soldiers had now left, leaving the villagers to continue on their daily routine. She knew she shouldn't reveal herself now; she eyed someone hanging up one of the wanted posters on a building wall. A picture of her own face stared out from the poster, seemingly staring straight at her and beckoning her out from her hiding place.

With a loud sigh, Anita withdrew further into the shadows. She would have to wait and travel at night.
Darkness would save her.

Eri looked over the horizon. Lately no one would talk to her, it had been on her birthday. The monk of the Air Temple had come to her home and pulled her out infront of the entire Western Air Temple.

"Why.....why must it be this way?". She countinued to look over the horizon. She felt something hit her foot, she turn to see it was a little bouncy ball.

"Hey can you pass that back to us." She looked at them to see that is was a group of young boys she used to train with.

"Ummm can I play with you guys?"

"Sorry, we're playing ball 5 on 5."

"But..but you guys only have 4 players....oh never mind." She tossed the ball back to the boys and ran up the stairs. She could no longer fit in anywhere. The boys who rejected her used to be the ones she would actually pick fights with and win but now they wouldn't even play ball with her. She went to the only place she felt like she belonged. She looked up to see the bisons flying around. She gave a whistle and one seperated from the rest and landed beside her.

"Hi Enma, you and yuki are my only friends now." She turned around to see the Monk Gitsuo standing there. He was smiling at her. Growing up her mother had died giving birth and she was never told who her father was. Monk Gitsuo had been incharge of training her. He was even the one who planned a birthday for her.

"Monk.....Monk Gitsuo," She felt the tears streaming down her face. All she ever wanted was people to be nice to her.

Jung sat on the bank, staring out across the water from between trailing strands of dark hair. He couldn't believe it had come to this...
Never had in life had the boy been away from his home. He had been born and raised in the Northern Water Tribe, living in the big city, learning to bend water, to hurt and to heal.
He had never imagined leaving.
And yet, here he was. On the banks of a foreign land swept by the Fire Nation. He could see the smoke coming from their ships not a mile offshore, and he was grateful that they could not see him so well. They could not see that he wore the garb of the Water Tribe.
He wasn't sure why he was here, either. His Tribe had sent him away. Only a few nights ago, the dreams had started. Dreams of a group of people he had never met, with features that were strange to him; foreign features, perhaps from the other Nations. Before he could realize what was happening, he had been branded the Avatar, swept up, and sent away to the Earth Kingdom's shores.
What was he meant to do here...?
No one would tell him. His only hope was to find those people whose faces he saw in his dreams. Perhaps they would know more than he did.

Aiko was sitting on a rock just staring out at the send, her fingers kneading through the soil and rocks that were loosened up on the ground. She was tired, hungry and thirsty and she hadn't a faint clue where she was. All that she knew right now was that she has been kicked out of her city once they had learnt she was an avatar. It wasn't common logic really because only a select few actually knew the secret but they were still afraid that someone else would learn it, someone who has a loose tongue and empty pockets that would sell the secret to the fire nation. And that was what the others feared, an attack from the already vicious fire nation and more deaths then they already had.

So she had left with only a few urgings with only the backpack that she had on her back. She knew she was unnaturally good at earthbending and had always been just a bit better than all of the other kids growing up at up but she had never spontaneously started bending anything else. In fact she had tried a few times already with the other elements and felt nothing but exasperation when nothing happened. Aiko couldn't help but think that maybe the whole thing was false and she was out on her own for nothing. But she did know that maybe the situation wouldn't be so bad if she actually knew where she was.

She sighed softly and stood, cracked her back as she did so. She licked her lips and pulled some food out of her bag, noticing that it was becoming increasingly empty. She would have to go buy some more but her money was also starting to become depressingly low. She wasn't down to the desperation for stealing yet but she had a nagging sensation that it wouldn't be too far off. She started bending the earth under her foot, making her move faster than possible, trying to scout out the closest lake. If she went straight she would have to eventually find one, it was only common logic.

Until then all she would have to do was be left alone with her tortuously busy mind.

Kazu was out of the palaces, making his way in to the Royal Stables. He needed to find something that could get him out of the Fire Nation and fast. He wasn't entirely convinced that he was the Avatar, but if the news got to his father the consequences wouldn't be good. He knew his father feared the coming of the Avatar, as it could threaten his war campaign. Kazu sneaked into the stable, and walked down the aisles, the animals tethered inside sleeping. He knew what he was looking for, one of the fastest creatures in the stable. At the far end he found what he was looking for, a large mongoose dragon was sleeping, occasionally switching its long snout. Kazu made a few clicking sounds with his tongue, causing the large beast to stir without frightening him.

After strapping a saddle onto the mongoose dragon, Kazu mounted it. Slowly guiding it out of the stable, he waited until he had created some space, before sending it into a full run. Its long legs taking quick long stride across the earth, traveling large spaces of land in very little time. The stars and trees above whizzed past to quickly to make out any details. Kazu took one look back at his home, knowing he could never go back, then urged the creature on into the night.

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A branch whizzed by, smacking Kazu in the face a leaving a small cut. He slowed the animal, and reached his hand up, feeling a slight trickle of blood, then looked at his fingers. Only after looking around for a moment did he notice how out of it he had been. His mind had starting going in circles, thinking about the nights events, and all the possible things it could mean, but that he realized he was lost. Nothing around him looked familiar, even the foliage was different. He was definitely out of the Fire Nations borders, but he had no clue where that put him. Deciding it would be best to resume at night, he unmounted his steed, and tied it to a tree just a little ways off the path. Kazu lay against another tree, his eyelids feeling a little heavy. His sword lay across his lap, and his bag was under his feet. The last thing that went through his mind before he drifted off, were the words of his mother, "You are the Avatar."

Sighing softly, Jung turned and started to walk. It seemed as though he had been walking endlessly; honestly, it had been only a week, but for one accustomed to canoes, that was along time to travel on foot.
He paced uneasily down the beach, wondering what he was going to do with himself. Wondering what could possibly be done. He was a Water Bender in the Earth Kingdom. He was the Avatar in a world unkind to Avatars.
Where could he go now? Where would he find those people from his dream...?
He looked up, scanning the horizon.
And he spotted one of them. A girl; an Earth Kingdom girl.
The Earth Kingdom girl from his dream.
Without thinking, he called out to her.
"Hey!" He shouted.

The golden sun was beginning to cool into the afternoon.

Anita was beginning to get very impatient. She had never been the waiting type, her mind and body always itching for action. Her fire-bending teacher had always scolded her about her lack of patience. Thinking about her fire-bending teacher made the corners of her mouth droop. Anita missed him. Conrad had never hesitated to give her criticism, and although it had always set her teeth on edge, she recognised that she improved consistently because of his generous feedback. He had always been an amazing companion as well, and she thought him as a father figure, almost in replacement of the drunkard. But Conrad had passed away three years ago, from an incurable illness.

Anita shifted her body slightly, aching to stretch up after hours of crouching within the shadows, hidden. She longed to run into her freedom.... Well, why not now? A small part of her brain asked. The rational part of her reminded her of the original plan to stay hidden until night time. Too dangerous...

But she was sick and tired of waiting.

Anita poked her head out from the shadows, looking around. There were now less people wandering the streets, although the poster advertising her treachery was now hung up in various places.

She pulled up the hood of the travel cloak, covering her face in shadow. Crimson eyes shifting warily, she darted out onto the streets, keeping to the shadows of the buildings.

The progress was smooth, no one even giving her a single glance in her direction. Anita needed to get out of the Fire nation first; that was the safest option for now. But before that, she had to get a mount. She would get too tired if she had to travel on foot. Afterall, she had no idea where she was really going...

"One step at a time, Anita," she scolded herself.

She glanced around, and spied a nearby stable. She definitely didn't have enough money for a horse. So she was going to have to steal one.

Anita crept into the stables. There was no one about, except for a couple of stallions. Sighing with relief, she led a handsome horse out, asking the animal to cooperate with soft whispers. The stallion complied quietly, much to her relief.

She mounted on him easily, ignoring the fact that there was no saddle. She had rode bareback before; it had been part of her training in the military. She had complained endlessly when she had trained, but now she was glad she had paid attention when she learned. Still, it wasn't going to be the most comfortable ride.

Anita was just about the gently nudge the horse to a trot when a yell broke out from the stable.

"You! What do you think you're doing? THIEF!!!"

Swearing under her breath, Anita signalled her mount to a gallop.

"No! STOOOP!!! STOP THAT THIEF STEALING MY HORSE!"

Anita looked back and saw to her frustration that a couple of soldiers were following her. They must have had been on duty...

Cursing her damned luck, she pushed her mount harder, wanting to put more distance.

A fireball whizzed past her head and she blinked in surprise. Then her eyes narrowed as she looked back at her pursuers.

Another fireball narrowly missed her arm and she whipped her head around to focus on where she was going. She began to take any turns she could find, hoping to lose them. Right, left, right, right, left, right, right, right...

And still they followed, balls of hot fire crashing into the ground and onto the buildings nearby her.

"This is not gonna work," Anita though desperately, "I'm gonna have to take them down."

She took a turn down a dark alley and halted, quickly dismounting and waiting for her pursuers to catch up. She unsheathed her sword, setting up a trap. As soon as one of the soldiers took the turn, she leapt out from the shadows and stabbed him through the chest before he knew what was coming. The second soldier blasted fire at her, but she sidestepped it, using the momentum to attempt a strike at the opponent. The soldier yelped as her blade caught his shoulder, a stream of red flowing out. And a moment of distraction was all Anita needed- her blade found the mark on his neck.

Anita stared down at the corpses, her eyes hard. She knew she was lucky this time; these soldiers fought like new recruits, not trained very well nor very experienced. If they had been better trained, she might have had to fire-bend...

Shivering slightly, she quickly looted the corpses, removing some gold and placing it into her own pack. Then she quickly mounted and began to gallop off again before more trouble found her.

Nothing more bothered her and soon, she was out of the fire nation borders. Her body ached and her eyes drooped tiredly, but she kept her mount moving, wanting to put as much distance from the fire nation as possible. So she galloped on...

The golden sun was just waking from its nightly slumber.

Rorek has been sailing the hole night and was tiered of the salty water around him. He has been very lucky to have found that boat. He knew that raiders usually burn the boats as well after they raided an island to prevent any possible survivors from escaping, but it seems the ones that attacked them were inexperienced... or they simply taught that slaughtered every one.
Even with the help of his water-bending, the boat moving too slow. Anyway, he was not going to complain. At least he had enough time to plan what he was about do first. He knew that two hundred yeas ago, when the Fire Nation attacked for the first time, the Avatar was the one who defeated the Fire Lord so, logically, he needed to find the him, but he could not go searching alone.
This is why he decided to go to Kyoshi Island for help. He was bound to find someone there to help him search for the Avatar and, with a bit of luck, he would also find something to eat...

Aiko had been treading rocks, helping her move quicker. She had wanted to find water quickly and she hadn't been paying much attention to her surroundings. If she had, maybe she would have felt the vibrations of the person that was around her. But no, she heard him instead. She immediately ceased her earth bending and paused, her head craning and her eyes squinting to see his face. She tried to shake the familiar feeling she was getting from him, she had never met the guy. He didn't even look like he belonged in the Earth Kingdom, where she was assuming she still was.

She saw his long hair with his striking eyes and flowing robes. She had a strange thought that he might be from the water nation tribes but her common sense told her that it was quite unlikely. Perhaps it was just a blend of his heritage? She just shrugged and started making her way to him, trying to be just a bit cautious. She normally wouldn't even have approached the person especially while the title avatar was hanging over her head but he seemed to be different. She wanted to see who he was and why he looked so familiar and different.

Though the swords hanging on his sides didn't help much. She paused just a bit in front of him and gave him a small, careful smile with her parched lips. "Hey, do I know you?" She asked him with a wondering tone in her voice.

Monk Gitsuo laid a cup down in front of Eri. He had always been the one to calm her down and if his speech didn't do the trick then his famous Chocolate Green tea did.
"You should drink it while its hot." Eri continued to look at her hands she didn't know why it just seem to help. She had always been better at airbending then the other kids but she thought she had gotten it from her mother or possibly even her father.

"Right, thank you." She took a sip but even so she wasn't feeling any better.

"Eri....there is a secret that has been kept from you since you were a baby. Your father his...his from the...fire nation." She just looked at him

"And your mother met him on a trip to the Earth Kingdom they seemed happy but he was taken back to the fire nation so no one knows if he is alive or dead. I just thought now that your the Avatar and must venture out I should tell you before you left."

"Thank you and I shall definetly....take it into account." She smiled softly at him.

"You may go after him but I want you to be safe gather a team from other nations before you even think about."

"You had a preminition earlier didn't you?"

"A old monk never revils his secrets, now go found your destiny." She looked out the window then back at him.

"Thank you." She began to pack a bag. As she began to load Enma with things some of the monks come to her a wished her a good journey.

"You shall be what we pray for each not."

"You guys as well."

"Eri!!!" She turned her head to see Monk Gitsuo breathing heavialy. She ran up to him to see if he was okay but all he did was hand her a wrapped partment.

"Open..it..when..it...feels..right." He collapsed to the ground.

"Monk Gitsuo!!!!!! Is he going to be ok???" She felt a monk pat her head.

"He'll be fine you know he can fall asleep anywhere."

"Oh...right." She felt embrassed that she had forgoten but she had to go. As she climbed onto Yuki came and landed on her shoulder.

"GOODBYE EVERYONE, I SHALL MISS YOU ALL".

Now that the person was approaching him, Jung felt just a bit nervous about the fact that he had called her. Certainly, she looked just like the earth-bending girl from his dreams, but that didn't mean that it was her. It was always possible that this was just some earth-bender he had shouted out to, and with the fact that he was now the Avatar burned into his brain...
It wasn't safe to be calling out to complete strangers.
But he had done it now, and she was standing before him. At least she hadn't drawn her swords yet...
"No," He answered her question, "I don't think so. I just... thought you looked familiar."

Kazu lifted his eyes, and found his surrounding unfamiliar. He was in the middle of a large plain, knee high grass extended in all directions except four large stone pillars, one of which he stood on top of. Looking at the other pillars, Kazu could see three others, all atop a different pillar. He looked at them, all people he didn't recognize, yet they felt familiar. They all looked of different origin, and he was curious who they were.

A noise jarred Kazu from his sleep. He looked around, and found the mongoose dragon sneering into the darkness. Something obviously had him agitated. Kazu hopped to his feet, his scabbard in his left hand, right hand clasped around the hilt, ready to draw at any moment. He could hear muffled voices, then from the darkness three men ran out, all dressed in dark leather clothing. Their appearance was tattered and dirty, obviously rogues who pillaged travelers in the area. The first man drew near to Kazu, a long knife extended from his hand. Kazu drew his sword, swinging in a wide arc, dropping the man to the floor. His scream pierced the night sky as he clenched his stomach. Kazu dodged to the left, avoiding the knife swing of his second assailant. Behind him his steed was in a frenzy, making all sorts of growls and screeches. The third assailant followed Kazu's dodge, swinging a crude mace and his head. Swiftly parrying the blow, Kazu locked eyes with the man. With a swift kick, he broke the lock. The man with the knife, assisted his companion up, taking position together. A two-on-one assault, a smart plan had Kazu only a sword to defend himself. He sheathed his sword, and looked at his two assailants, obvious a little confused by his action, but still determined. He felt the familiar warmth swirl inside his body, making its way to his arms, and finally focusing in his hands, as if he held the essence of the flame in his palms. Kazu punched both fist forward, aligning them perfectly with his targets. To the men's horror, a large jet of flame came at both of them. The man with the mace managed to dodge to the side, his only injury a little charring to his clothes and hair. The other man received the hit full force, his clothes catching fire, and his body burned. He screamed in pain, rolling back and forth. His partners both down, the lone man dashed into the forest.

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The sun had risen some time ago. After his encounter, Kazu decided to press on and remove himself from the area. If news of a fire bender was spread by that man, it could certainly mean trouble for him. He had been on the move for some time now, and feeling the dryness of his throats, stopped at the first source of water he could find, a small creek bed completely covered by foliage. He dismounted the mongoose dragon, and tied it up close enough to get some water. He also indulged in the cool water, and took the time to stretch his legs. He couldn't keep his mind off of last night's dream. Who were those people he had seen? Could they hold some importance to him? He wasn't sure, but his mother had told him he was the Avatar, and what that meant for his was still unclear.

Aiko cocked her head at the boy standing before her, he was dressed more strangely than she had seen. He wasn't wearing usual earth bending garb and his long, black hair and his piercing eyes were odd for her. He didn't belong to the Earth Kingdom, that was something she was practically certain of. She cocked her head and tried to think of things she had learnt in class when she was younger about the different nations. And the more she kept on thinking about it the more her mind kept on coming back to the water tribes. It wasn't uncommon exactly for them to look like the guy who was standing before her, in fact her matched the description better than any other of the nations.

But the same thing kept on popping into her mind. What was a water nation doing where ever she was? She knew she wasn't exactly in water nation lands and her common logic told her that she was still in the Earth Kingdom but she didn't think that the guy should be there. And he seemed to be hesitating with her, something that gave her the creeps. Though the more she kept on looking at him the more familiar he became.

She had a flashback of where she had seen him with two other people not that long ago. That's why he looked so familiar, she had been day dreaming of thought of him, down to the clothes and everything. It creeped her out for a second as she examined his facial features and he mouth popped open. Would it be a coincidence to meet him, was he supposed to be helping her learn how to waterbend?

Was he help to the avatar?

She looked at him and smiled hugely. "Come with me and lets find some water, I'm parched. I'm pretty sure there's a river or a lake up here somewhere, there's bound to be. My name's Aiko, by the way. What's yours?" She asked him, not wanting to give away that she was the Avatar just yet. Just because she had seen him in a vision didn't mean it was safe to actually trust the guy.

Anita slowed her mount to a trot, eventually stopping. She could see a small creek was close by and she wanted to stock up on water and rest. She had galloped throughout the night, anxiety and nerves driving her forward. But now, all she felt was exhaustion.

She knew she should be quite well off the boundaries of the fire nation by now, and felt more relaxed. She dismounted and stretched her aching body, sighing and rubbing her tired eyes wearily. Her mount also looked exhausted of course, having been made to gallop the whole night by her. Anita stared at the creature's eyes, feeling rather guilty.

"I'm sorry..." She whispered to the stallion, giving him a gentle pat on his head. The horse whined slightly, his eyes drooping shut.

Anita felt her own eyes droop, but she kept herself awake, not really wanting to sleep. She wanted to explore the area first- and obtain some water too.

Leaving the horse to rest in the shade, Anita began to walk through the bush towards the water. Just as she was about to get close to the water's edge, she saw slight movement on her right which made her quickly hide behind the bush.

It was a young man, resting by the creek's edge. Not wanting to give herself away, she crept in closer, keeping herself hidden in the bushes. She put the hood of her cloak up around her face, keeping it hidden in shadow.

Her crimson eyes narrowed at the figure, observing him closely. Something about him seemed familiar...

Something... Somehow...

A gasp flew from her lips and she quickly put her hand over her mouth to stifle it, ducking behind a bush.

Her eyes widened with realisation and her mind raced, exhaustion and the need for water now forgotten.

There was no mistaking it, it was the Prince. The Prince of the Fire Nation.

She had never had any personal contact with him. But being the military, she had seen him often, around and about.
She couldn't mistake that posture, those dark, menacing eyes...

"Damn it!" she swore under her breath.

But something wasn't right. What was the Prince of the Fire Nation doing out of the Nation borders- all by himself? Was he on some secret mission, planning the next raid? Surely, he wasn't out here looking for her- the traitor? Surely, she wasn't worth it for the Prince himself to come out and hunt her down?

Shaking her head, she stared out again from the shadows. She felt anger build up within her, but tried to calm herself down and think. However, her pounding heart certainly did not help.

"What the hell am I going to do now?" She growled in her head.

Perhaps she could take him out by surprise. Perhaps she could kill the Prince here and now- deal a big blow for the Fire Lord by killing his son. She could send the Fire Lord a gift- his son's head.

A malicious smile played at her lips, and she only felt cold amusement at the thought.

After all, the Prince was probably just like his father, killing innocent people here and there...

She felt herself shake with building rage. She wanted to kill the Prince... tear him to pieces...

"Haven't you done enough killing for a lifetime?"

A part of her consciousness scolded her, but she could hardly listen. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered.
The end justified the means. And she knew it was too late to save herself now anyway.
She was already too far within the depths of hell.

Anita unsheathed her sword, creeping forward softly. A deadly glint danced in her eyes.
The Prince's life was hers to claim. And that was all that mattered.

So she leapt out of the shadows, blade gleaming in the sunlight, aimed at the Prince's back.